Gabon: PDG: Ali Bongo stripped of power, Paul Biyoghé Mba in charge

Between denunciations, criticisms, and resignations, the former ruling party, the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), has been struggling since August 30, 2023, the date of its removal from power, which it had held continuously for over 55 years. In order to revitalize and strengthen the party, a temporary organizational chart was announced on March 7 in Libreville following a visit to Ali Bongo at his private residence. The PDG will now be led by Paul Biyoghé Mba as the first vice-president. He will be assisted by three other vice-presidents, including another former Prime Minister, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze. Ali Bongo himself has been simply removed from the party presidency.

Has Ali Bongo’s inaction at the helm of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), the former ruling party, been his downfall? The recent events at the Louis headquarters in Libreville seem to suggest so. Therefore, on March 7, the leaders of the political party created by Omar Bongo gathered at their headquarters to announce the personalities who will temporarily lead this political group with over 55 years of existence. Thus, the first vice-presidency will now be held by former Prime Minister Paul Biyoghé Mba, and the General Secretariat by Angélique Ngoma.

PDG executives at the Louis headquarters, March 7, 2024. © Gabonreview

The failure of the PDG’s self-criticism sessions in the federations, the cascade of resignations, denunciations, criticisms, suspicions among some executives and militants towards others, defections, and especially the recent media statement by Ali Bongo’s former Prime Minister, ultimately led to the downfall of the interim Secretary General of the PDG, Luc Oyoubi. Furthermore, the entire technocratic structure of the party seemed to have failed, starting from the leader, the Honorable Comrade President Ali Bongo Ondimba.

Visit to Ali Bongo’s private residence

In an attempt to restore order to this seemingly captain-less ship, a delegation visited Ali Bongo’s private residence. “The purpose of this meeting, in addition to inquiring about his health, which reassured us, was to notify him of his removal from the presidency of the party due to his multifaceted incapacitation,” said Luc Oyoubi. He himself was not reinstated as Deputy Secretary General.

Following this meeting, he added, a new temporary organizational chart for daily management was put in place. The designated personalities have the PDG’s representation in the upcoming National Dialogue and the organization of a Congress in the coming months in their sights.

Pending a complete renewal of the party’s organizational leaders founded in 1968, the first vice-presidency is held by Paul Biyoghé Mba. Following him in order are Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, Jeannot Kalima (current Minister of Energy and Hydraulic Resources in the Transitional Government), and Yves-Fernand Manfoumbi.

The General Secretariat goes to Angélique Ngoma. She will be assisted in order by Denise Mekam’ne-Taty, Antoine Minie M’Eyi, and Charles Otando.

Regarding Ali Bongo, Paul Biyoghé Mba was very clear: “Between two evils, one must always choose the lesser. We have a president whose absence has consequences on the actual functioning of the Party, and we have on the other side the Party. Whom do we save? What do we save? The general interest must prevail.”

Furthermore, the big surprise of this meeting of the leaders of the former ruling party was the expulsion of Joséphine Nkama (Patience Dabany). While the reasons for her expulsion have not been publicly disclosed, she will be informed in the coming days.

While waiting for the Congress meant to revitalize the PDG machine, which has been stalled since the events of August 30, 2023, the designated personalities to revive the structure should already be able to breathe new life into the party and try to restore order in Gabon’s oldest political stable. A stable that has been facing criticism from the population for its chaotic handling of public affairs in recent years.

Related Articles